virginflyer3

21% and 79%. I won't tell which one is the dirrty little devil part and which one is the pure part. That is for me to know.

Thanks for answering that for me.

You could always liven it up Pat Butcher style, with a spillage of gin.

I had a lot of these when I was pregnant and they use to wake me up in the middle of the night. It felt like someone sticking a knife in the back of my calf. I would sometimes strain a muscle because of the intensity of the muscle cramping, which is why it would sometimes hurt afterwards. My doctor told me that quinine is what is required to ease them and as I was pregnant I could not take quinine tablets but I should drink lots of Indian tonic water which apparently has loads of the stuff in it. I have to say this seemed to the job.

What is your name and your nickname? Di When is your birthday? February 1978 - Pisces What is your eye color and hair color? Green/Red hair Do you drink? Smoke? Drink - Periods of major alcholism followed by detox. Smoke (I have just quit for the second time- 16 days and counting!) What city do you live in? Hippy mecca Glastonbury UK What is your occupation, and do you enjoy your job? Accounts and payroll. Depends on what time of year it is. How often do you travel? Couple times a year if I am lucky. How many languages do you speak? 2. Sober and drunk. What kind of music do you enjoy? Anything, but into metal at the moment. Got a lot of pent up frustration to deal with. What is your favorite food? Itaiano. Do you have a favorite color? Green or turquoise. Do you have any unusual habits or quirks? I always pick up the second newspaper in a pile of newspapers in a shop. If there is only one left, I'm screwed. What is a talent that you have that most people don't expect from you? I'm very artistic and love reading/writing poetry. Only my husband knows about this. Name something that you are proud of in your life. My daughter.

Thanks for the advice. I think I will probably have a go with contacts, I still have just over 2 months to get use to them so I have nothing to lose. Maybe a stupid question but I thought you had to have a certain amount of jumps before you can wear a full faced helmet in the UK?

In our house if all else fails she is subjected to the "naughty step" and forced to listen to opera until she is sorry. Seriously, eye to eye contact engages them and having a very distinct voice that means "I am not happy with what you are doing" seems to work the same as a smack for me. It is far more better to be calm and explain what it is that is unacceptable in their behaviour than to rant and lash out. The lines become more ambiguous for both parties when this happens, where do you stop?

I totally agree that there are many other better alternatives to hitting and shouting at a child. Not to say I have not done the above before. It was very upsetting the last time I lost my "cool" with her, not just for her but for me as well. I decided then that there were definately better ways of going about this "discipline thing" and there are. Eye to eye contact, adopting a very deep, slow tone of voice when cross, empathy to a childs feelings of frustration and actually listening to them all work. Most naughty behaviour is caused by them being ignored and under stimulated.

Yeah. The thought of losing a pair of glasses that cost "money" in freefall is my main concern. A lost contact would'nt be the end of the world would it in comparison? But it is a bit freaky sticking something in your eye, which is why I have never tried them before.

Glasses or contacts when you jump? Which do you prefer? I don't wear glasses all the time but would have to for jumping, so I thought I might get use to wearing contacts for skydiving purposes. Is it worth the effort or should I stick to the glasses? Any advice will be much appreciated.

I totally agree that the weather won't be guaranteed and it is wise to allow for this in your trip time, but the chances of good weather between Spain and the UK, I would put my money on Spain anyday. (I hope I am not tempting fate by saying this!) I have booked myself for 9 days with a day for travelling etc added on, so if I don't get to complete I will have to be really unlucky. And to top it all off all of this with accomodation, fares, spending money, packing course, DVD of the course and so on, it still comes way under my initial budget (£2.5K)! I am well happy with my choice. I think if you plan as much as possible and maybe talk to a few DZ before going and see what the ground will be like on your return even if you are part qualified, half way through consols etc you can maybe eliminate some of the hassles. Also most of these AFF schools have excellent links with UK DZ's anyway or like it has been said their own instructors are out there if you are lucky. At the end of the day it will be a gamble going away and the weather might throw it's Agincourt salute at me but it is a risk I am prepared to take.

You could always do a tandem or your AFF1 in the UK first for a charity dear to you to be sure this is really what you are hungry for. I had always liked the idea of skydiving but never got around to it. Then my daughter got sick and I wanted to raise some money for the hospital she was treated at, so I did the standard tandem (raised shit loads of cash doing it at the same time!) and had the time of my life! Bargain. Now I know in all probability I won't be wasting my money going to Spain in March to do my AFF. The course is dead cheap and even with retakes I will still be under my initial budget leaving more cash for a first rig. I decided to go abroad as weather is a huge factor and in the UK I feel I would be more distracted by the day to day grind of life rather than just knuckling down and focusing on learning to skydive. You can optimise your time whilst abroad by learning to pack at the same time as you won't have to suddenly dash off to do this or that, or maybe give up as easily when the smell of fear gets too much as there will be a certain amount of momentum in your training that you might not get over here. Saying that, there are progression weeks in the UK that you could get onto, ask your local DZ or the one you are likely to jump at if they have any planned. Good luck!

That really was a good read about the journey an AFF student goes through. I have been looking for ages to find some literature like this. Thank you.

And when do you have to get your membership if you are a student? How long does the process take to apply?

Do my AFF, learn to pack and win the lottory so I can buy a rig would be nice.

I got one of those girlie pink ones for christmas and I love it!! The fact that it is slimline is a real plus as when I am at work I can fit it in my suit pocket without a great bulging lump on my hip as I am walking about. Also I find it really easy to use. Okay, the phonebook sucks to use and you do have to scroll down through the numbers but I personally don't mind that as I think it is a really great phone in other ways. I have no problems with signal either and so far the battery has'nt had to be charged and I am still on 2 bars!! My last phone was a piece of shite when it came to battery life. I say go and get yourself one if you think it's for you. Happy new year and yuletide blessings by the way!

No, no, no..the real stuff happens at Avebury. There's a pub in the middle of the circle for starters!

*** Worked for Sarah Ferguson's PA who bashed her otherhalfs brains in with a cricket bat. Sells her story left right and centre and when she gets out of the clink she will no doubt have a multi million pound book deal. So you get rid of the arsehole, have a holiday and make lots of money. Outstanding idea.

I just thought I would update this thread. I have finally booked myself with the FreeFall Addicts in Spain. I am going out in early March and I cannot wait! Counting down the days, hours, minutes even seconds as I speak!! Thanks to everyone for all your kind advice and pointers and the people who took the time to PM me. I have really appreciated it. Blue skies Diana

I saw them in the UK back in June and although it was a great show (The song list was excellent I will admit) I would not put myself out and pay tout prices (unless you are absolutely minted of course and don't mind being ripped off). I paid £60, which was a fair price to Bono and the boys themselves, but I was told by the people we went with that some tickets were going for several hundred on ebay near the actual date! I am sorry but anyone who pays that needs their head felt. I would'nt be sad about it as you are not missing too much. Get the DVD anyway and watch it from the comfort of your armchair with a beer and enjoy[;)

Yes, but not using anything to break the fall. It stops my heart everytime I walk in and see the absolute abandonement she puts into it followed by the inevitable thud and shreek of joy (no tears yet I am happy to report). I will have to teach her a PLF because at this rate I'll be needing a triple heart bypass.

I am not going anywhere this side of Christmas. Anyway I've still got to make my mind up on where I am going to do it yet, which being a woman with a Libra rising and a Virgo moon will be a bit of a task! Put it this way don't time cooking the sausages by me. Adios.

Thanks. I will do my AFF and have loads of fun, of that I am sure. And as for the guy who was newbie to sitflying in 3 days WOW! Whats his name? Is it Super Ted?

No chance. I'm vegetarian.